Modular orthosis closure system and method

ABSTRACT

An orthosis can comprise a first body member that can conform to a portion of a patient&#39;s body and a second body member that can conform to another portion of a patient&#39;s body. A closure unit having a first connector member with a first plurality of support posts can be operatively connected to the first body member, while a second connector member with a second plurality of support posts can be operatively connected to the second body member. An elongated flexible pull member can operatively extend between the respective first and second support posts so that when tightened by a patient, a pull member slides across the support posts to provide a mechanical force advantage to draw the first body member and the second body member against the patient&#39;s torso. A closure unit can be of a modular configuration for subjective mounting on various components of an orthosis to provide a highly adaptable closure unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/206,939 which is adivisional of U.S. Pat. No. 7,186,229 which is a divisional of U.S. Pat.No. 6,676,620.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a closure system for orthoses whichcan be manufactured in pre-fabricated modules with an improved pullsystem to provide a mechanical advantage for applying compression forcesto a patient and a method of manufacturing a closure system.

2. Description of Related Art

Various types of orthotic systems have been suggested to address bothinjury and degenerate conditions that may occur—for example, a spinalorthosis to effectively stabilize the lumbo-sacral spine. Geriatricpatients frequently experience chronic low back pain as a result ofvertebral degeneration, discogenic disease and postural deterioration.Orthoses have been proposed to address stabilization of the lumbo-sacralspine and to assist in both pelvic tilt and rotational control. Suchorthoses assist the patient in standing, sitting and prone positions byrelieving postural stress pain. Various forms of back braces andcorsets, both of a flexible and rigid configuration have been proposed,such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,072,725, 5,074,288, 4,508,110, 3,927,665,4,099,524, 4,475,543 and 5,634,891. Frequently, patients with arthritichands lack the dexterity to tighten and adjust such lumbo-sacralsupports and other types of orthoses. Various forms of hook and pile ornap straps and closure systems, including hook and eye closure systemswith buckles, are frequently utilized. Conventional corsets with lacingthat is respectively looped through eyelets have provided a mechanicaladvantage when the lacing is tightened for patients. However, frictioncan be a factor between the lacing and the eyelets.

Other examples of lumbo-sacral orthoses can be found in U.S. Pat. No.5,853,378 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,617. In each of these patents, amechanical advantage is secured by either pulling straps through aconventional buckle system on the '378 patent, or by using a series ofpulleys in the '617 patent that can be tightened by a motor.

There is a still a demand for relatively economical modular orthosesthat can be conveniently used by a patient for a mechanical advantage inexerting compression and to provide a simplified and easily manufacturedclosure system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a closure unit for orthoses such as alumbo-sacral orthosis that permits a first body member conforming to aportion of a patient's torso to be connected through the closure unit,with a second body member conforming to another portion of a patient'storso. The closure system can also be applied to orthoses for otherparts of a patient's body in addition to the spine, such as a leg brace,shoulder brace, etc.

The closure unit can be removably attached, for example, by a nap andhook arrangement to be subjectively configured for applying a forcehaving a mechanical advantage. The closure unit includes a firstconnector member with a first plurality of support posts and a secondconnector member with a second plurality of support posts with anelongated flexible pull member operatively extending between therespective first and second support posts to provide a mechanical forceadvantage when tightened by the patient to draw the first body memberand the second body member against the patient's torso to exertcompression forces. The elongated flexible pull member can comprise acord such as a nylon cord with an exterior braided configuration. Thesupport posts can comprise rivets that extend between an upper housingmember and a lower housing member which can be contained within a fabrichousing. In one embodiment, the upper housing member and the lowerhousing member are relatively flexible plastic plates. A smooth metalsleeve, such as an aluminum or chrome plated steel sleeve, can be fixedabout each rivet.

The support posts can be positioned in sets that can overlap a commonaxis and support plates can be designed to support the support posts sothat the support plates can intermesh with each other during assembly.

In an alternative embodiment, a lower housing member can be a bendablemetal plate such as an aluminum plate which can be subjectively bent toconform to the configuration of the patient's torso. The lumbosacral-orthosis can incorporate the closure unit and, if desired, a pairof closure units can be utilized on either side of the orthosis. Thus,the orthosis can have a front torso conforming member and a rear torsoconforming member. A first and second closure unit can be positioned toremovably interconnect with the respective first body member and thesecond body member. A fastener member can be connected to the cord ofeach of the respective closure units with the fastener member includingone of a nap or hook material. The other of a nap or hook material canbe appropriately positioned, for example, on the front body member, sothat a patient who pulls the respective fastener members can removablylock them at a desired compression. As can be appreciated, the frontbody members can be of a rigid plastic with a soft foam liner or theycan be a flexible body member having pockets to receive rigid orsemi-rigid inserts and stays. The lumbo-sacral orthosis can be of amodular configuration to permit pre-fabrication with subsequentselection of modular units to conform the final orthosis for applicationto the patient.

The method of assembling the closure unit includes positioning a firstset of support posts and a second set of support posts so that theyoverlap a common axis and inserting a pull member along the common axisto extend about each support post on an alternative basis so that whenthe respective support posts are separated the pull member isoperatively threaded between the support posts to provide a mechanicaladvantage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exact nature of this invention will be readily apparent fromconsideration of the following detailed description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an orthosis of the presentinvention with one closure unit;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of an orthosis;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of another orthosis of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of a body member of the orthosis of FIG.3;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a closure unit;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of a closure unit;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a modular lumbo-sacral orthosis;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a closure unit;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view of an alternative component of aclosure unit;

FIG. 10 is a schematic front elevation view of a portion of the closureunit;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a method of manufacturing theclosure unit; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the assembly of the pullmember.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modescontemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Variousmodifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, since the general principles of the present invention have beendefined herein to specifically provide a modular spinal orthosis with animproved pull system to apply compression forces.

A first embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIGS. 1 and2 as a lumbo-sacral orthosis 2 which permits a user or patient toprovide compressive forces about his/her torso by simply pulling andremovably fastening a fastener member 4 to a surface portion of theorthosis. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a closure unit 6 includes a firstconnector member 8 and a second connector member 10. In the firstembodiment, the orthosis can include a first body member 12 conformingto a portion of a patient's torso and a second body member 14 conformingalso to another portion of a patient's torso. In this embodiment, theorthosis has basically a belt-like configuration that can complementadditional modular components, such as a rear body member 16 and a frontbody member 18. A semi-rigid plastic support member 20 of an ovalconfiguration can be attached to the exterior of the rear body member 16as shown in FIG. 2 to provide additional back support. Otherconfigurations of a rigid or semi-rigid support member can be appendedto a surface or inserted within a pocket to provide additional support.

An exploded view of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. As can beseen, the support member 20 can have a series of patches of a hook-likeconfiguration that is capable of grasping onto the exterior surface ofthe rear body member 16 which has a nap-like texture. These hook patches22 can be subjectively positioned both in location and number sufficientto rigidly hold the support member 20 on the rear body member 16. Thesupport member 20 also has a slot 24 centrally located that permits astrip of hook material 26 on the closure unit 6 to extend through theslot 24 and to adhere the closure unit 6 directly to the rear bodymember 16. An elastic band 28 can be interconnected between the firstconnector member 8 and the second connector member 10 of the closureunit 6 and can support the hook strip 26 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thehook strip 26 can also capture or encircle the loops of the elongatedflexible pull member or cord 30 that extends between the respectivefirst connector member 8 and the second connector member 10 andterminates in the fastener member 4. Thus, the elastic band 28 canassist in aligning the loops of cord between the connector members tostay somewhat in the same place as the elastic band 28 and when mounted,as shown in FIG. 2, covers the exterior side of loops of the cord 30 toprevent snagging on exterior objects. The elastic band 28 can stretch toaccommodate relative movement between the first and second connectormember when a force is exerted by tightening the elongated flexible pullmember. Note, it is possible to provide the closure system without theprotective covering of the elastic band, for example, on a compressionbelt orthosis.

The cord 30 can be formed from a nylon material having an exteriorbraided surface to thereby provide a low friction, but strong, pullmember such as a Dacron cord with a diameter of 0.042 inches and a 90lb. test strength. As can be appreciated, other arrangements can beprovided, such that the rear body member, instead of having an exteriorsupport member 20, can be hollow with a pocket for receiving a plasticstay. The front body member 18 has such a pocket member with a hookedmaterial flap 32 which, when open, can receive a plastic support staymember 34.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the closure unit 6 includes fastenerportions on the underside of a hook material 36 on the first connectormembers 8 and a hook material 38 on the second connector member 10. Theupper surface of these connector members is divided into pockets 40 and42 of webbing that cover and house a plurality of support posts 44 andloop material to which a lower base is sewn. The support posts 44 arerespectively affixed to a base member 46. Each of the pockets 40 and 42have an open slit to permit the cord member to wrap around therespective support posts 44 in each of the connector members to therebyprovide a mechanical advantage or force multiplier when the cord 30 ispulled by the patient.

As shown in FIG. 4, a base member 48 in the first connector member 8 canfurther have pull member guide eyelets 50 that permit the respectiveends of the cord member 30 to be aligned so that they can exit throughports 52 for attachment to the fastener member 4. One side of thefastener member 4, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a strip of hook material54. The rear of the exterior panels 56 and 58 on the respective firstbody member 12 and body member 14 shown in FIG. 6 can have a napmaterial, to permit a removable locking of the closure unit 6 in asubjective alignment on the body members to meet the demands of theindividual patient. The front internal end portions of the respectivefirst body member 12 and second body member 14 have hook material 60 and62 that can be used to grasp the nap or loop material on the exteriorsurface of the front body member 18. Thus, the first body member 12 andthe second body member 14 can be adhered to the front body member 18.The closure unit 6 is likewise adhered to the nap material on the rearsurface of the first body member 12 and second body member 14 by thehook material 36 and 38. The rear body member 16 can have the plasticsupport member 20 adhered to its nap exterior surface and the hook strip26 on the closure unit 6 can then be adhered through the slot 24 to thenap material on the rear body member 16. The user, by pulling upon thefastener member 4 across the front body member 18, can then employ amechanical advantage to pull the respective first body member 12 andsecond body member 14 together to provide a compressive force incombination with the front member 18. The fastener member 4 can then beappropriately attached to the nap material on the front of the frontbody member 18 to maintain the desired compression forces. Fastenermember 4 can permit an adjustment for the length of the cord 30 tocustomize the closure unit 6 to the dimensions of a particular patient.

The ability of the cord 30 to slide with low friction across therespective support posts 44 provides a relatively compact efficientmechanical advantage without requiring additional moving parts such aspulleys. The individual support posts 44 can comprise a rivet assemblyhaving either a sufficiently smooth outer surface, or the body of therivet can be mounted within a sleeve that is fixed and engaged by arivet when it is attached to its appropriate base member to extendperpendicularly upward. The nylon cord 30 can appropriately slide acrossthe surface of such a sleeve, for example an anodized aluminum, brass ora steel sleeve coated with chromium. Thus, a relatively economical andcompact adjustable lumbo-sacral orthosis with an improved closure unitis provided.

Alternatively, a Teflon™ coating can be applied to the rivet outersurface to directly interface with the pull cord.

It is also possible to use high strength plastic rivets with an outerconcave surface to center the pull cord. The base member can alsocomprise a heavy fabric and the support posts can be custom swagged tolock with the fabric. Alternatively, the support posts can be secured byfasteners such as screws that are axially threaded into threadedapertures in the support posts for fastening onto a base member.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 3 a, another embodiment of a lumbo-sacralorthosis 64 is disclosed. This orthosis is primarily designed to providea back support garment and utilizes the closure unit 6 with a first bodymember 66 and a second body member 68. Appropriate nap material 70 and72 can permit a subjective positioning of the closure unit 6 as shown bythe dotted lines and arrows on FIG. 3. An end rear surface, not shown,of the second body member 68 can have hook material which is capable ofattaching to the nap material 74 shown on the front of the first bodymember 66. Thus, the respective ends of these body members can befastened about the waist of a patient to form a fastener unit to connectthe first body member 66 and second body member 68 and the fastenermember 4 can then be pulled to tighten the closure unit 6 with thefastener member 4 then attached to a strip of nap material 76 on thesecond body member 68. To provide additional rigidity, a pocket 78 canbe provided on either one or both of the first and second body members66 and 68 as shown in FIG. 3 a. The respective body members 66 and 68functionally connect the closure unit 6 at one end and to each other atthe other end to form a modular orthosis. A plastic stay 80 can beinserted into the pocket member to provide an additional support. As canbe seen, a second pocket member 82 can receive an elongated stay 84 andcan be closed with a tab 86 of a hook material. The particular stays canbe made from a plastic material or a relatively bendable metal, e.g., analuminum plate to thereby permit adjustment to the particular structureof the patient. In this embodiment, a protective elastic cover member isnot shown and the cord 30 is exposed. However, an elastic cover membercould be used as a protection against any snarling of the loops of cordson exterior objects.

Referring to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of a closure unit isdisclosed as closure unit 88. In this embodiment, a pair of semi-rigidplastic plates 90 and 92 are used to sandwich the support posts 94. Thisarrangement helps to encase the cord 30 to lessen any entanglement ofthe respective loops. Appropriate rivets can be used to fasten therespective plastic plates 90 and 92 together. As mentioned above, asleeve member can be used for each support post and can be stationarilyfixed by the rivets if desired. It is also possible to stitch or sew thebase plastic plate 90 alone or both the base plate 90 and upper plate 92to the fabric material that forms the respective connector members 98and 100. The stitching is disclosed on the connector member 98 aselement 102 with a 16 oz. thread. The cord 30 is looped between therespective support posts 94 on each of the connector members 98 and 100and exits through the guide eyelets 50.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of a connector member with alower flexible hook member 114 that is fastened to a pocket or flap 116.Both the lower or base plastic plate 90 and the upper plastic plate 92can be stitched onto the hook member 114. Alternatively, only theplastic plate 90 can be stitched and the upper plastic plate 92 can becantilevered from the support posts 94.

An alternative structure for supporting the respective support posts isshown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, a molded upper plastic housing 104has a lower cavity that can receive an aluminum plate 106 that isbendable. A plurality of sleeves 108 can again be fastened byappropriate rivets 110 and washers 112 to connect the entire structuretogether. The use of a bendable metal plate such as an aluminum plate106 permits a bending of the structure to conform to the desiredconfiguration of the patient. The plastic housing 104 can again bestitched to the fabric covering of the connector member.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, an efficient and economical method ofassembling the closure system of the present invention is disclosed. Afirst connector member 208 and a second connector member 210 positiontheir respective support posts 212 and 214 in an aligned lineararrangement. Additionally, the respective base plates (not shown) andupper plates 216 and 218 are appropriately notched or indented toprovide undulating surfaces that are offset so that when they are placedtogether, as shown in FIG. 11, they interlock and provide a straightpathway along a common central axis A-A for receiving a pull cord 220that can be inserted with a mechanical instrument such as an elongatedneedle 222. Thus, the appropriate design of the upper and lower platesnot only provides a guide for the pull cord 220 when in operation, butis further designed to facilitate the assembly of the closure unit bypermitting the support posts 212 to overlap the corresponding supportposts 214 for receiving the insertion needle 222. Thus, any tediouslabor intensive procedure of threading the pull cord 220 through therespective support posts can be eliminated through the unique design ofcantilevering each set of the support posts to permit an intermeshingand overlapping of the support posts as shown in FIG. 11. When theconnector members 208 and 210 are then pulled apart, the cord 220 isappropriately positioned and then can be threaded through the guides 224and 226.

In each of the above embodiments, the different positions and structuresof the present invention are described separately in each of theembodiments. However, it is the full intention of the inventors of thepresent invention that the separate aspects of each embodiment describedherein may be alternatively combined with the other embodimentsdescribed herein to provide hybrid embodiments to meet the requirementsof each patient.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that adaptations andmodifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can beconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention may be practiced other than as specificallydescribed herein.

1. A compressive orthosis comprising: a first body member conforming toa portion of a user's torso, having one of a first nap and hook materialon a surface; a second body member conforming to another portion of auser's torso having one of a second nap and hook material on a surface;and a closure unit having a first connector member with a firstplurality of support posts operatively connected to the first bodymember, the first plurality of support posts are fixed and have axesextending approximately perpendicular to the surface of the first bodymember, a second connector member with a second plurality of supportposts operatively connected to the second body member, the secondplurality of support posts are fixed and have axes extendingapproximately perpendicular to the surface of the second body member,and an elongated flexible pull member operatively extending between therespective first and second support posts to provide a mechanical forceadvantage when tightened by the user to draw the first body member andsecond body member to exert a compressive force against the user's bodywherein the first body member and the second body member havecomplimentary nap and hook material for removable attachment of thefirst body member to the second body member about a user's torso.
 2. Thecompressive orthosis of claim 1 further including a rear body membersupport positioned adjacent the closure unit to provide additional backand waist support when the first body member and the second body memberare drawn together by the elongated flexible pull member.
 3. Thecompressive orthosis of claim 2 further including a front body membersupport configured to complement a front waist area of the user toprovide additional front waist support when the first body member andthe second body member are drawn together by the elongated flexible pullmember.
 4. The compressive orthosis of claim 2 wherein a center of therear body member is aligned between the first and second connectormembers.
 5. The compressive orthosis of claim 2 wherein the rear bodymember extends above and below the respective first body member and thesecond body member to provide waist and back support for the user. 6.The compressive orthosis of claim 1 further including a front bodymember support configured to complement a front waist area of the userto provide additional front waist support when the first body member andthe second body member are drawn together by the elongated flexible pullmember.
 7. The compressive orthosis of claim 1 further including amember for covering an exterior of the elongated flexible pull memberbetween the first connector member and the second connector member toprevent snagging on exterior objects.
 8. The compression orthosis ofclaim 1 further including a stay member connected to the first bodynumber adjacent the first connector member to provide support beneaththe first plurality of support posts when the elongated flexible pullmember is pulled by the user.
 9. The compression orthosis of claim 1wherein the support posts are plastic.
 10. The compression orthosis ofclaim 9 wherein the first connector member and the second connectormember is formed of plastic.
 11. The compression orthosis of claim 10further including at least one pull guide member for aligning theelongated flexible pull member to exit the first connector member andconnect with a fastener member with one of a complementary nap and hookmaterial for releasable attachment to one of the first body member andthe second body member to permit a removable locking of the closure unitin a subjective alignment of compression on the user.
 12. Thecompression orthosis of claim 1 wherein the elongated flexible pullmember extends in an intermediate portion respectively from one of thefirst plurality of support posts to one of the second plurality ofsupport posts in an alternating manner to provide a mechanical forceadvantage and the respective ends of the elongated flexible pull memberare connected to a fastener member with one of a complimentary nap andhook material for releasable attachment to one of the first body memberand the second body member to permit a removable locking of the closureunit in a subjective alignment of compression on the user.
 13. Thecompression orthosis of claim 1 wherein the elongated flexible pullmember is a nylon polyester cord.
 14. A lumbo-sacral orthosiscomprising: a first body member conforming to a portion of a user'storso; a second body member conforming to another portion of a user'storso, the combination of the first body member and second body memberstabilizing a user's torso conforming to the user's torso, the firstbody member and the second body member further include one of a nap andhook texture surfaces for removable engagement to releasably fasteningrespective first ends of the first and second body members togetherabout the user's torso; a closure unit operatively connected to secondends of the first and second body members for providing a mechanicaladvantage to exert a compressive force on the user's torso by drawingthe first body member and second body member together, the closure unitincludes a first connector member having a first support housing with afirst plurality of support posts connected to the first body member, thefirst plurality of support posts are fixed and have axes which wouldextend approximately perpendicular to the surface of the user and arespaced and aligned, a second connector member having a second supporthousing with a second plurality of support posts connected to the secondbody member, the second plurality of support posts are fixed and haveaxes which would extend approximately perpendicular to the surface ofthe user and are spaced and aligned, and an elongated flexible pullmember operatively extending for sliding movement directly between therespective first and second support posts to provide a mechanical forceadvantage when tightened by the user to draw the first body member andthe second body member together to exert a compressive force against theuser's body; and a fastener member attached to the elongated flexiblepull member to enable the user to pull the fastener member for drawingthe first body member and the second body member together to exert acompressive force on the user and holding the compressive force byremovable attachment of the fastener member to one of the first bodymember and the second body member.
 15. The lumbo-sacral orthosis ofclaim 14 wherein the first body member and the second body member haveone of a hook and nap material on an exterior surface when positioned onthe user and the fastener member has the other of a complementary hookand nap material for releasable attachment to one of the first bodymember and the second body member to permit a removable locking of theclosure unit in a subjective alignment of compression on the user. 16.The lumbo-sacral orthosis of claim 15 further including a front bodymember support configured to complement a front waist area of the userto provide additional front waist support when the first body member andthe second body member are drawn together by the elongated flexible pullmember and the first connector ember and the second connector member areformed of plastic.
 17. The lumbo-sacral orthosis of claim 16 furtherincluding a front body member support configured to complement a frontwaist area of the user to provide additional front waist support whenthe first body member and the second body member are drawn together bythe elongated flexible pull member.
 18. A lumbo-sacral orthosiscomprising: a first body member conformable to a portion of a user'sbody, having one of a first nap and hook material extending on anexterior surface, the combination of the first body member and secondbody member stabilizing a user's torso by conforming to the user'storso, a first end of the first body member and a first end of thesecond body member further include one of a complementary nap and hooktexture surface for removable overlapping engagement to releasablyfasten the respective first ends of the first and second body memberstogether about the front of the user's torso; a closure unit operativelyconnected to second ends of the first and second body members forproviding a mechanical advantage to exert a compressive force on theuser's torso when drawing the first body member and the second bodymember together, the closure unit includes a first connector memberhaving a first support housing with a first plurality of plastic supportposts connected to the first body member, the first plurality of plasticsupport posts are fixed and have axes which would extend approximatelyperpendicular to the surface of the user and are spaced and aligned, asecond connector member having a second support housing with a secondplurality of plastic support posts connected to the second body member,the second plurality of plastic support posts are fixed and have axeswhich would extend approximately perpendicular to the surface of theuser and are spaced and aligned, and an elongated flexible low frictionplastic pull member operatively extending for sliding movement directlybetween the respective first and second plastic support posts to providea mechanical force advantage when tightened by the user to draw thefirst body member and the second body member to exert a compressiveforce against the user's body; and a fastener member attached to theelongated flexible pull member having the other of a nap and hookmaterial relative to the first and second body member for releasableattachment to one of the first and second body members to enable theuser to pull the fastener member for drawing the first body member andthe second body member together to exert a compressive force on the userand holding the compressive force by attachment of the fastener memberto one of the first body member and the second body member.
 19. Thelumbo-sacral orthosis of claim 18 further including a removable rearbody member support positioned adjacent the second ends of the first andsecond body member to extend above and below the first and second bodymember whereby additional back and waist support is provided to the userwhen the a compression force is applied by the first and second bodymember.
 20. The lumbo-sacral orthosis of claim 19 further including aremovable front body member support configured to complement a frontwaist area of the user to provide additional front waist support whenthe first body member and the second body member are drawn together bythe elongated flexible pull member.
 21. The lumbo-sacral orthosis ofclaim 19 further including a first stay member connected adjacent thesecond end of the first body member to provide support beneath the firstplurality of plastic support posts and a second stay member connectedadjacent the second end of the second body member to provide supportbeneath the second plurality of plastic support posts when the elongatedflexible low friction plastic pull member is pulled by the user.